Tagaytay Monteluce Dream: Affordable 1BR w/ Pool! (Cavite)
Tagaytay Monteluce Dream: Affordable 1BR w/ Pool! (Cavite)
Tagaytay Monteluce Dream: Affordable 1BR w/ Pool! (Cavite) - My Unfiltered Take (Buckle Up!)
Okay, so I just clawed my way back from Tagaytay, and let me tell you, the “Dream” part of Tagaytay Monteluce Dream, the 1BR place with a pool in Cavite, is… well, it's complicated. But in the best possible way. Let's dive in, shall we? Consider this your brutally honest, slightly neurotic, and definitely caffeinated travel guide.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Okay.
Getting there? Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Tagaytay's a hop, skip, and a jump from Manila (relatively speaking, traffic gods willing). Finding the place itself? Not a problem. Google Maps, bless its algorithmic heart, got me there. But, and this is a BIG but, accessibility for actual people with disabilities… yeah. I wouldn’t say it's specifically wheelchair friendly. Elevators aren't always as readily available as the promise of a perfect Instagram shot. You'll need to factor that in.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Food Glorious Food! (Or Lack Thereof… Kinda.)
Okay, the restaurant situation is… well, it's a journey. There are restaurants, plural! (More on those later in Dining, drinking, and snacking). But "accessible"? That depends on your definition. I’m talking about things like seating. (Sometimes, it's a bit of a squeeze). I'd recommend checking out the restaurant's specific setup if mobility is an issue.
Internet & Tech: Blessed Wi-Fi! (And Occasional Sighs)
Let’s be real, in this day and age, Wi-Fi is oxygen. And, praise the internet gods, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! part is true. I tested it. I binged watched… a lot. It held up. Even the Internet [LAN] and Internet services (whatever those fancy terms are) seem to be decent. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yup, available. You can probably post your Insta stories while you're waiting for your body scrub.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (Maybe a Little Cloudy)
Alright, here's where it gets interesting. The brochure promises a spa! A pool with a view! And… well, a lot of things that sound incredibly relaxing.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Spa/sauna: (Deep breath). The idea of all this is tantalizing. The reality? Depends on the day, the mood, and the availability. I didn't get to experience all the treatments, I'll be honest. I tried to book a massage, but it was fully booked for the next three days. (Insert frustrated sigh). And the "pool with a view?" This is where the dream shines, truly. The infinity pool, overlooking the Taal volcano? Absolutely stunning. 10/10 would recommend an early morning swim to witness the sunrise. It's worth the price of admission alone.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: There's a gym. I walked past it. I did not enter it. My idea of fitness is walking from the bed to the fridge. (And back.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, Seriously Sanitized! (and a little overwhelming)
Okay, this is the part where Monteluce really shines, especially now. They're obsessed with cleanliness and safety. And I, for one, am here for it!
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Fire extinguisher: I felt like I was living inside a bubble of hand sanitizer. Everything, everything was spick and span. The staff seemed genuinely committed to keeping guests safe. I even saw them sterilizing the elevator buttons. (Okay, maybe a little overkill, but hey, I'm not complaining!)
Room sanitization: My room looked and smelled fresh and clean and I liked not having to second-guess about the cleanliness, even if it's a little sterile, it's the price to pay for peace of mind!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie Adventure (aka, My Stomach's Diary)
Here's where my inner food critic takes over.
Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Breakfast takeaway service, Bottle of water, Happy hour, Alternative meal arrangement, Room service [24-hour]: So, there are several options. I enjoyed the Asian & Western cuisine in the restaurants. Breakfast, even though it was the buffet, was an excellent spread! The desserts were… well, let's just say I may have ordered seconds. The view from the poolside bar is unbeatable, but the prices were slightly elevated. However, I have a weakness for happy hour, and it really did the job. The snack bar was clutch for those late-night cravings.
Food delivery: I didn’t take advantage of this, but it’s a great option!
Services and Conveniences: A Checklist of Awesome (and a Few Quirks)
Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The basics are covered. The daily housekeeping was impeccable. The concierge was helpful (though sometimes a bit flustered!). The contactless check-in/out was a lifesaver. The terrace was a lovely spot to chill, if you can handle the occasional Tagaytay breeze. The elevator was slow.
Invoice provided: Excellent!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Kind Of)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't travel with kids, but I did see some families. They seemed happy! There are some kid-friendly options, so you can definitely bring the little ones.
Available in all rooms: The Deep Dive
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The rooms? Clean, spacious, and comfortable. Everything you expect from a modern hotel room. The bed was comfier than heaven. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in. The free Wi-Fi was fast and reliable. And the water pressure in the shower was amazing. (Important details, people!)
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Parking is free, which is a huge bonus in Tagaytay.
Cleanliness in the rooms: Really clean no issues
Overall: The Verdict (And the Quirks)
Tagaytay Monteluce Dream is… a good choice. It's not perfect. Nothing ever is. The spa availability can be a little frustrating, and there are some minor accessibility limitations.
But the positives outweigh the negatives by a landslide. I'd go back. I'm already planning my return. The pool with the view alone is worth it.
Emotional Reaction: The views are breathtaking, the hotel is well-kept and clean. I was very satisfied with my stay
Sans Hotel Good Wish Semarang: Your Dream Semarang Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Tagaytay is never as smooth as it looks on Instagram. Especially when your budget is singing the blues. Here's the messy, honest, and hopefully helpful itinerary for our affordable Monteluce 1BR adventure:
Trip Title: Tagaytay Tumbleweed: Can We Even Afford the View?!
Dates: (Let's pretend it's a weekend, 'cuz ain't nobody got time for a weekday getaway… unless you're a trust fund baby. Which, sadly, I am not.) Let's say Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.
Accommodation: Monteluce Condo, 1 Bedroom (hopefully the pool is actually swimmable and not just a glorified birdbath)
Transportation: Good old public transportation. We're aiming for the "how-low-can-we-go" budget here. Bus from Manila. Jeepney/Tricycle in Tagaytay itself. Pray for no rain.
The Itinerary (God, I hate planning. But here we go…):
SATURDAY:
- 6:00 AM: Alarm clock screams. I scream back. This is always a struggle. Coffee? Required. And a hastily-made sandwich because eating on a bus is practically a survival skill. Pack. Check. Re-pack. Check. Pray I didn't forget my toothbrush.
- *Anecdote: Last time I tried this, I left my phone charger. That was a *disaster. Learned my lesson… maybe.
- 7:00 AM: Head to the bus terminal. Traffic in Manila is a beast. Mentally prepare for the inevitable: overflowing buses, the guy playing loud music on his phone, and that vague smell of… well, everything.
- 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Bus ride to Tagaytay. Read a battered paperback (something trashy, to match the mood), stare out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of something, anything, resembling a view. Probably will just see billboards.
- *Quirky observation: The bus always feels like a giant, mobile petri dish. You just *know* there’s a whole universe of germs partying in there. Delightful.*
- 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Arrive in Tagaytay. Immediately get bombarded by tricycle touts. Haggling skills are REQUIRED. Time to put on my tough girl face. (It's more like a slightly worried face, but hey, we try.)
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Tricycle ride (hopefully not too expensive!) to Monteluce. Crossing fingers the condo is as advertised and doesn't look like a scene from a horror movie.
- *Emotional reaction: The anticipation is killing me! Is the view *really* worth it? Is the pool chlorine-ridden or actually clean? This could go either way.*
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: CHECK-IN. FINALLY. Unpack (what little we packed, of course). Assess room situation.
- Messier structure: Is the bed comfy? Are there any surprise cockroaches? Let's hope not. First order of business: Find the pool!
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Quick lunch! Food trip in Tagaytay? We need to be mindful of our budget. Let's grab some cheap eats around the condo. Maybe a quick grocery run for snacks and drinks.
- Rambles: Hmm, where to eat? There's that famous bulalo place… but it’s probably expensive. Maybe we can find a carinderia. My tummy is already rumbling.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: POOL TIME (fingers crossed it's nice!) Sunbathe, swim, read. Basically, try to relax, because let's be honest, this is what we came for.
- Doubling down on the experience: If the pool is actually good, this will be the highlight. Pure, unadulterated bliss. If not, then we'll just stare at the view from the balcony and pretend we're having a good time. Maybe bring a book and a drink and just pretend.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: THE VIEW (maybe?) and Stroll. Walk around the area and visit the view points. Maybe catch the sunset. Take a million photos (because we are those tourists).
- Opinionated Language: The view is what makes Tagaytay, well, Tagaytay! If it's cloudy and we can't see a thing I'm going to riot. I hate wasted opportunities.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Find a restaurant with a view that doesn’t involve selling a kidney to afford. Crave for hot bulalo- can we afford it?
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Catch a Night market. Some street food, maybe some cheap souvenirs, and a glimpse of "Tagaytay Nights"
- 9:00 PM onwards: Back to the condo. Chill. Watch TV (if the signal isn't atrocious). Maybe play some cards. Whisper plans for the next day. Sleep.
SUNDAY:
- 8:00 AM: Wake up somewhat refreshed (hopefully. The bed situation is a factor.)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Leftovers? Instant noodles? Gotta be resourceful.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Last-gasp photo ops. Maybe another quick walk around the area, soak in the fresh air, savour the last moments.
- Emotional reaction: Ugh, I don’t want to leave!
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Check out. Give the condo a final once-over.
- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Tricycle to the bus terminal. Haggling level: EXPERT.
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Bus ride back to Manila. Repeat: loud music, possible germ-fest. But we’re going home.
- Anecdote: Always pack tissues. You never know when a sniffle or a tear (happy or otherwise) will strike.
- 4:30 PM onwards: Arrive back in the city. Decompress. Mentally prepare for the Monday blues. Start planning the next getaway.
Final Thoughts/Rambles:
This trip will require adjustments. Things will go wrong. The weather might be awful. The food might be mediocre. But the point is to get away, to experience something, even if it’s just a slightly-too-expensive meal or a less-than-stellar pool. The important thing is to have fun, to survive with your sanity and your wallet (mostly) intact, and to create memories. And maybe, just maybe, we'll actually catch that incredible Tagaytay view. Wish me luck! Or, you know, pray for sunshine.
Budget Notes:
- Transportation: Aim for P1000 (bus round trip, tricycle fares)
- Food: P1500 (We'll survive on carinderias, snacks, and maybe one really delicious meal)
- Activities: Minimal fees. The view itself is free!
- Accommodation: Already covered (fingers crossed it's a good one!)
- Contingency: Always carry a little extra cash (maybe P500) for emergencies.
This itinerary is a living document. It is subject to change. Embrace the chaos! And most importantly, don't forget your toothbrush.
Hangatiki's Hidden Gem: Caves Motor Inn Awaits!
Tagaytay Monteluce Dream: Affordable 1BR w/ Pool! (Cavite) ...Or Is It? A Messy FAQ
Okay, spill the beans! Is this Monteluce place *really* that good? Affordable 1BR with a pool in Tagaytay? Sounds...sketchy.
Alright, alright, settle down. Yes, the *idea* is fantastic. Affordable Tagaytay living with a pool? Dreams are made of this! But let's be brutally honest, shall we? It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. My own experience? Well, let me tell you, it started with those dazzling online photos. Pristine pool, perfect landscaping, that classic Tagaytay fog rolling in... I was hooked. I mean, who *wouldn't* want a slice of that pie?
The reality? Well, the pool *is* there. And it *is* usable. More on that later. The affordability aspect? That's subjective. It's *relatively* cheaper than some other Tagaytay options, but don't expect to live like a king on a pauper's budget. And the "1BR" part? More accurately a "cozy 1BR." Think a goldfish bowl, but with a view (hopefully).
My first visit, I swear, I tripped over a loose paver near the supposed ‘grand lobby’. Made me think *“Yup, this is gonna be an experience”*. My expectations were immediately recalibrated after. You might want to do the same.
The Pool! Tell me about the pool! Is it a mythical oasis or a chlorine-filled nightmare?
The pool... ah, the pool. The siren song of Monteluce. Okay, so it's not the glistening, pristine, Olympic-sized masterpiece the brochure promised. It's... functional. It's there. I've swam in it. It's cold, especially when the Tagaytay breeze kicks in. I'm pretty sure I saw a rogue leaf or two in there during my last dip, and the bottom isn’t exactly see-through crystal clear. But honestly? It's the one thing that *does* live up to the initial hype.
The views from poolside are great, even if the bar area is a bit…well, let's just say it has character. One time, I saw a kid wearing a full life jacket – floating around – like he was in a small inflatable boat. It was simultaneously concerning and hilarious. I feel like it’s a strong metaphor for the whole Monteluce experience, honestly. You get what you expect and somewhat more.
Okay, so the apartment itself... is it livable? Don't want a mold farm!
Livable? Yes. Luxurious? Absolutely not. The 1BR units are... compact. Let's call it "intimate." Space is at a premium. You'll become very familiar with the layout *very* quickly. Think strategically! You'll need to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. And be prepared for some quirks.
The first time I walked into mine (a rental, mind you), I swear I could SMELL dampness. Not a good sign in Tagaytay, with its constant humidity. It’s a constant battle to air the place out, especially during the rainy season. I remember frantically running around with the only fan they had to try to dry my clothes and keep the ‘mold monster’ at bay. The building itself is a bit aging, which is probably the main reason why it’s so affordable. Let's just say it has a certain "charm"...in a slightly dilapidated kind of way.
What about the location? Is it actually *in* Tagaytay? Is it easy to get around?
Yes, it's in Tagaytay! Sort of. It depends on your definition of "in." Monteluce is located a bit away from the heart of the tourist area. It’s a little bit of a drive to get to the main attractions, the restaurants, and the, um, *vibes*. Public transportation is available (jeeps, tricycles), but having a car makes life *significantly* easier. Finding a parking spot, though? That can be a whole other adventure. I once spent 20 minutes circling the building, looking for a spot, and eventually just parked on the side of the road, praying my car wouldn't get towed. That was a Saturday. Never again.
The plus side is that it’s generally quieter, away from the main tourist chaos. It gets you that Tagaytay feel and allows for some peace and quiet, which you’ll definitely need after a long day fighting for a parking spot.
Any recurring issues I should be aware of, things that commonly go wrong?
Oh, honey, where do I begin? Let’s just say, Monteluce has its *moments*. The water pressure can be…iffy. Sometimes you get a trickle. Sometimes you get a firehose. Sometimes you get nothing at all. Power outages are also not unheard of, especially during a storm. Be ready to adjust your expectations, and maybe keep a flashlight and some bottled water handy (trust me on this one).
Maintenance requests? Well… they get attended to. Eventually. Don't expect miracles. I once waited a week for them to fix a leaky faucet. A *leaky faucet*! I was tempted to learn basic plumbing myself just to speed things up. Also, the internet situation can be a bit of a drag. Spotty Wi-Fi seems to be built into the fabric of the complex. You might want to consider investing in a personal hotspot. This is definitely something to be considered. It is a great area if you're wanting to disconnect from your phone.
Okay, the food situation? Are there any nearby restaurants or stores for essentials?
Food? Yes, there are some options. You're not exactly in the middle of a culinary mecca, but there are a few *sari-sari* stores for basic supplies. You can actually get some pretty decent *tapsilogs* and classic Filipino fare a short ride away. For anything more elaborate, you'll need to head towards the main Tagaytay strip, which means dealing with traffic.
Pro-tip: Stock up on groceries before you arrive. Trust me, the convenience of having snacks and drinks readily available in your small apartment is a lifesaver. There is a supermarket about a 10-minute drive. Some days I felt like I lived in a rural province, and the next day I was in the center of a tourist destination! Talk about a mood.
Is it worth it? Should I actually LIVE here? Considering I have doubts, and I like nice things…
That, my friend, is the million-peso question. It absolutely depends. If you are on a tight budget and *really* want to live in Tagaytay, and are willing to trade some comfort and convenience for affordability, then maybe, just maybe, Monteluce could be for you. If you are just looking to live in a Tagaytay location close to restaurants, then you should go for it.
Honestly? It's a mixed bag. It's aOcean View Inn
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